US 4,728,131 A · Camper shell inside door lock

Abstract

A locking apparatus for a pickup camper shell which includes a metallic plate member having a generally right-angularly disposed integrally formed pivot portion for pivotally attaching thereto a latch arm, the latch arm having a latch portion defining an opening for captively receiving therein the locking bar of a camper shell locking mechanism, with a transversely bent portion of the latch arm being configured for grasping and pivoting of the latch arm. A coacting protrusion and depression are formed on abutting surfaces of the pivot portion and latch arm for retaining the parts in an open position to prevent inadvertent locking of the apparatus due to movement of the vehicle. The plate member is secured to a portion of the camper shell in proximity to the locking bars, with the opening of the latch arm aligned for capture and retention of the locking bar. The opening has an angularly disposed outer edge to force the latch arm down on attempted intrusion by rotation of the door handle from the exterior.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims18

Dependent claims

An inside door lock apparatus for a pickup truck camper shell having a pivotable door with a locking mechanism including at least one locking bar adjacent an interior surface of the door actuable by an external door handle, the locking bar being configured for engagement with a part of the shell or truck which is in fixed relation to the door, said at least one locking bar having one end thereof pivotably secured to an end of an actuating lever pivotable by said door handle and the other end thereof slidably restrained adjacent an edge of said door, said at least one locking bar being operable between first and second positions, said at least one locking bar, in said first positon having the other end thereof in engagement with a part of the shell or truck which is in fixed relation to the door with the longitudinal axis of said at least one locking bar lying along a line generally parallel to another edge of the door and, in said second position, having the one end displaced relative to the edge of the door and having the other end thereof out of engagement with a part of the shell or truck with the longitudinal axis of said at least one locking bar lying along a line at an angle to the edge of the door, said appartus comprising:

a plate member having means for securing the same to an interior surface adjacent said locking bar;
a latch arm member pivotally coupled to said plate member between a closed position and an open position, said latch arm member having a portion thereof configured for defining an opening positionable over said locking bar only with said at least one locking bar in said first position for captively retaining said locking bar from actuation with said latch arm member in the closed position and for enabling actuation of said locking bar with said latch arm member in the open position;
and
coacting means on said plate member and said latch arm member for frictionally retaining said latch arm member in an open position whereby to prevent inadvertent closing of said latch arm member with the vehicle in motion.

1 more element

An inside door lock apparatus for a pickup truck camper shell having a door hinged about a first edge with a locking mechanism including at least one locking bar adjacent the interior surface of the door actuable by an external door handle, the locking bar being configured for engagement with a part of the shell or truck which is in fixed relation to the door, said at least one locking bar having one end thereof pivotably secured to an end of an actuating lever pivotable by said door handle and the other end thereof slidably restrained adjacent an edge of said door opposite said first edge, said at least one locking bar being operable between first and second positions, said at least one locking bar, in said first position having the other end thereof in engagement with the part of the shell or truck which is in fixed relation to the door, with the longitudinal axis of said at least one locking bar lying along a line generally parallel to said door edge opposite said first edge and, in said second position, said at least one locking bar having the one end displaced relative to said door edge opposite said first edge and having the other end thereof out of engagement with the part of the shell or truck, with the longitudinal axis of said at least one locking bar lying along a line at an angle to the edge of the door, said apparatus comprising:

a plate member having a base portion for securing the same to an interior surface adjacent said locking bar, and a generally perpendicular pivot portion;
a latch arm member formed from sheet metal and having first and second generally mutually perpendicular portions, said first portion having an end thereof pivotally coupled to said pivot portion for pivoting between a closed position and an open position, said second portion having a finger spaced from the pivot end configured for defining an opening positionable over said locking bar only with said at least one locking bar in said first position for captively retaining said locking bar from actuation with said latch arm member in the closed position and for enabling actuation of said locking bar with said latch arm member in the open position;
and
coacting means on said plate member and said latch arm member for frictionally retaining said latch arm member in an open position whereby to prevent inadvertent closing of said latch arm member with the vehicle in motion.

1 more element

A door lock apparatus for a pickup truck camper shell having a door hinged along a first edge thereof, said apparatus comprising:

a locking mechanism secured to said door and including an external door handle adjacent a second door edge opposite said first edge, and an internal actuating lever pivotable in response to pivoting of said door handle;
at least one locking bar adjacent an interior surface of the door having one end thereof pivotably secured to an end of said actuating lever and the other end thereof slidably restrained adjacent said second door edge, said at least one locking bar being operable between first and second positions, said at least one locking bar, in said first position having other end thereof in engagement with a part of the shell or truck which is in fixed relation to the door with the longitudinal axis of said at least one locking bar lying along a line generally parallel to said second door edge, and, in said second position, having the one end displaced relative to the edge of the door and having the other end thereof out of engagement with a part of the shell or truck with the longitudinal axis of said at least one locking bar lying along a line at an angle to said second door edge;
a plate member having a base portion for securing the same to an interior surface adjacent said locking bar, and a generally perpendicular pivot portion;
a latch arm member formed from sheet metal and having first and second generally mutually perpendicular portions, said one portion having an end thereof pivotally coupled to said pivot portion for pivoting between a closed position and an open position, said one portion having a finger spaced from the pivot end configured for defining an opening positionable over said locking bar only with said at least one locking bar in said first position for captively retaining said locking bar from actuation with said latch arm member in the closed postion and for enabling actuation of said locking bar with said latch arm member in the open position;
and
coacting means on said plate member and said latch arm member for frictionally retaining said latch arm member in an open position whereby to prevent inadvertent closing of said latch arm member with the vehicle in motion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,065 words

Summary876 words

#The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to door locks for light camper shell doors, and particularly to door locks for campers that fit on pickup trucks and have a short bar or an elongate bar that engages a portion of the truck frame or another portion of the camper shell for securing the door.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the locking apparatus according to the invention secured to a door of a camper shell for engaging an articulated elongate locking bar thereof;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the locking apparatus according to the invention;

#FIG. 3 is a plan view of the assembled locking apparatus of FIG. 2;

Detailed description2,057 words

#Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a door locking apparatus, generally designated 10, attached to the interior of a camper shell door 12. The door locking mechanism 10 includes a door handle (not shown) on the exterior of the door 12, rotation of which rotates a shaft 16 of square cross-section. Keyed to the shaft 16 for rotation therewith is a symmetrically configured actuating lever 18 which is pivotable through an angle of approximately ninety degrees to the position shown in dotted lines.

#One or more elongate locking bars 20, 22, each have first ends thereof pivotally attached to the ends of the lever 18, such as with rivets, for reciprocation of the bars 20, 22 in response to movement or pivoting of the shaft 18 of the door handle. Such bars 20, 22 may have a flattened portion at the said first ends for facilitating coaction with the lever 18 which is usually formed as a stamped piece of bar stock metal. The opposite ends 20b, 22b, of the locking bars 20, 22 may be flat, or preferably of round cross-section, and are suitably restrained for slidable vertical movement only, as viewed in FIG. 1, by means of restraining members 24, 26 suitably attached to the interior of the door 12 adjacent the upper and lower edges, respectively, thereof.

#Each restraining member 24, 26 is configured with an elongate opening for passage therethrough of the end 20b, 22b, of the locking bars 20, 22, respectively. The ends 20b, 22b are slidable within the restraining members 24, 26, with the openings thereof having a width sufficient to permit a certain amount of lateral movement, and a depth slightly greater than the dimension of the end 20b, 22b of the bars 20, 22.

Facts

Application

06/862,109Filed 12 May 1986 · continuation in part

Priority

19 Dec 1984

Granted

1 Mar 1988

Term ended

1 Mar 2005

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

E05C 9/048
With two sliding bars moved in opposite directions when fastening or unfastening: externally mounted on the wing, i.e. surface mounted
E05C 9/043
With two sliding bars moved in opposite directions when fastening or unfastening: with crank pins and connecting rods
Y10T 292/0806
Combined motion: lever-operating means
Y10T 292/1031
Rigid: swinging catch

Camper shell inside door lock

Life of this patent

Camper shell inside door lock

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims18

Description3,065 words

Drawings

Description3,065 words

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent